HSE to pay €50,000 to family of autistic boy locked in toilet
The HSE has agreed to pay €50,000 in damages to the parents of an autistic boy who was locked in a downstairs toilet by a care worker.
Susan Curran and Peter Berry from Coolatree Park, Beaumont in Dublin claimed the HSE failed to assess the suitability of the female care worker to look after their son.
The High Court heard that the woman, who was employed by the HSE to supervise the 11-year-old for 15 hours a day, was seen unlocking the toilet door under the stairs to release the boy.
His father told the court that the boy was in a very distressed state and that his behaviour was erratic for a number of months following the incident.
